MAYOR NUTTER, OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS DISCUSS WITNESS INTIMIDATION « City of Philadelphia's News & Alerts
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Highlight new funding and upcoming summit to tackle problem
Philadelphia, June 28, 2010 – Today Mayor Michael A. Nutter, State Senator Anthony
Hardy Williams, District Attorney R. Seth Williams, State Representative Brendan Boyle and Councilman Curtis Jones announced an enhanced response to prevent witness intimidation. Both at the federal and state levels, legislation is being pursued to increase penalties for intimidation and to prosecute offenders.
“It is unacceptable that Philadelphians could fear for their safety while stepping up on behalf of the community. In order to reinforce the great gains in public safety made by the Philadelphia Police Department over the past two years, we must have robust and successful prosecution of violent offenders, which includes protecting those who are brave enough to testify,” said Mayor Nutter. “My Administration will cooperate with local, state and federal agencies to protect witnesses from intimidation.”
Mayor Nutter highlighted the dedication of $200,000 in new funding for a witness protection program to be managed by the District Attorney’s Office. This is the first time the City of Philadelphia has allocated funds wholly for witness protection and to tackle witness intimidation. Mayor Nutter also announced that he will convene a summit
of political, community, faith, and public safety leaders to solicit input and cooperation on innovative ways to combat and tackle the problem of witness intimidation. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
“The tail is waging the dog. It is unfortunate that things have deteriorated to the point where we have to assure citizens that we will protect them when they decide to testify. That is unacceptable. We must make it clear to the criminal element that we will go to every extent of the law to prosecute them,” added Senator Anthony Hardy Williams.
“Witness intimidation is an issue in too many of the violent crime and homicide cases that go through the Criminal Justice Center. It is an epidemic, and we need to stop it. This money will go a long way to help support the brave witnesses who step forward to make sure that justice is done in Philadelphia,” said District Attorney Williams.
“Today marks the beginning of a unique, combined effort from city and state elected officials and policy experts to tackle the pervasive problem of witness intimidation. Last week, I introduced legislation to increase funding at the state level for witness protection programming, which is necessary to fight this problem in the months and years to come,” said State Representative Brendan Boyle. “I also would like to create an office in the District Attorney’s Office specifically dedicated to attacking the problem of witness intimidation. Criminals cannot believe that they can pressure witnesses and get away with it.”
“These bills for Witness Protection will give our courts and District Attorney Seth Williams the proper ammunition to effectively prosecute ‘White Tee’ culture in Philadelphia. With the cooperation of the Nutter Administration, the City Council bill for protection against ‘Witness Intimidation,’ will provide security for those courageous enough to testify and defend their community, and it will enable to justice system to effectively prosecute and convict. Furthering these efforts is collaboration at all levels of government. Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Chaka Fattah proposed legislation to make any act of harassment and intimidation a federal crime. Likewise, Representative Brendan Boyle proposed a state wide witness protection program, and Representative Kenyatta Johnson called for an amendment of the criminal codes to increase penalties on the state level,” said Councilman Curtis Jones. “These are the actions our citizens deserve to safely to come forward, and it is my obligation as a council member to assist our courts. Either with right hand fellowship enabled legislation such as community courts expansion or the left hand punishment of the law, we will make Philadelphia safer. A court case without witnesses is similar to an automobile without gasoline, only together can we go the distance.”